Let Essential Sailing take you on a luxury sailing holiday on the scenic Cote D’Azur West Coast from Hyeres to St.Tropez.

This stretch of Riviera coastline is wild and rugged with deserted creeks and bleached beaches, far less developed than its eastern counterpart. As you sail, resorts are strung out before you, like pearls along the coast. St.Tropez is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown: no name evokes the joie de vivre of the region as much as St’Trop’ (‘too much’) – a hedonistic, ‘see-and-be-seen’ resort and home of the bikini – with its picturesque old port, decadent yachts and glamorous sun soaked beaches.

This luxury sailing holiday will give you the perfect opportunity to visit some amazing places:

Discover medieval HYERES

In the 11th century, the Knights of Fos built a castle on the hill and a small fortified town grew under their protection in the plain below. The Roman houses in the old town, St Paul’s Church and the Barruc city gate are all architectural examples of this period. In the 16th century, the town, which had grown significantly, sprawled all the way to the foot of the hill. New city walls were built. The Massillon and Fenouillet gates date from this period.

Relax on charming PORQUEROLLES

Is a jewel from another world. At the island’s heart is a charmingly dusty village square, where outdoor dining, drinking coffee and playing petanque seem to be the main pastimes. With few cars, transport is by bicycle, an ideal way of exploring the scenic tracks that meander through vineyards and pinewoods to link the many sheltered coves and beaches.

Step back in time in BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS

The village of Bormes, with its ice cream coloured houses, is undoubtedly one of the Riviera’s most picturesque villages. It has had a chequered history – founded by the Gauls, conquered by the Romans, then continually sacked by Saracens, Corsairs, Moors, Genoese and finally during the Wars of Religion (1562 – 1598). Depending on the season, it is bathed in the scent of mimosa, eucalyptus or camomile.

Stay in floral LE LAVENDOU

The town takes its name from the lavender fields around the slopes of the Maures massif. The old village of Bormes behind Le Lavendou apparently felt left out of the floral tributes along the coast and so rechristened itself Bormes-les-Mimosas after the abundant mimosa that grows around it.

Stir your soul in CAVALAIRE-SUR-MER

At the end of the Corniche des Maures, Cavalaire is quite close to, and quite different from, St Tropez. The resorts share the same sun, sea and indifference, but there floats over Cavalaire no air of billionaire exclusivity. Normal people are made to feel welcome, rather than feeling lucky to be allowed in. Once a fishing village, it’s now mainly a creation of modern-ish streets, softened by palms, pines and the view of the sea. There’s a holiday-time gaiety and the surroundings are soul-stirring.

Marvel at the architecture of PORT GRIMAUD

Situated at the head of the gulf of St Tropez, this village was the brain child of Francois Spoerry, a French architect. Although the village is reminiscent of Venice with its four islands and canal system, it was actually built in the late 1960s and the buildings retain a very French style. It is a beautiful spot to tie up in for the night, with fabulous restaurants literally a stone’s throw away.

Delight in artistic ST. TROPEZ

The harbour is surrounded by old houses with narrow and peaceful streets running up the hill behind to the citadel on the top. Around the harbour, painters display examples of their talent for sale, and the rich display their yachts for approval.

At Essential Sailing, we love the history, culture and cuisine of the places we visit almost as much as the sailing to get there. Our Captain’s Blog brings you a taste of what to expect from our luxury crewed sailing holidays around the French and Italian Riviera. In...

At Essential Sailing, we love the history, culture and cuisine of the places we visit almost as much as the sailing to get there. Our Captain’s Blog brings you a taste of what to expect from our luxury crewed sailing holidays around the French and Italian Riviera. In...

At Essential Sailing, we love the history, culture and cuisine of the places we visit almost as much as the sailing to get there. Our Captain’s Blog brings you a taste of what to expect from our luxury crewed sailing holidays around the French and Italian Riviera. In...